Blue Yeti Pro USB/XLR Condenser Microphone

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The Yeti Pro is a very flexible Condenser Mic with 3 capsules, 4 selectable polar patterns, and the ability to use it with either USB or XLR connectors.

Applications

This is best suited to recording music - the high sampling rates and bit depth are overkill for voiceovers and podcasting but you can use it for those purposes if you don't mind paying a bit extra.

Features

The standout features of the Yeti Pro, and what differentiates it from the standard Yeti above, are the high sampling rates and bit depth - you can record at up to 192 kHz at 24-bits. There is an ongoing debate as to whether or not high sampling rates help or hinder your recordings (see Sound On Sound & Trust Me I'm A Scientist), however if you want to record at these levels with a USB mic then this is currently your best option.

It also comes with a headphone jack for zero latency monitoring and has controls for mic gain, switching polar patterns, mute and headphone volume.

Compatibility

You need at least USB 2.0. It works with Mac OSX 10.6.4 or later, and is officially compatible with Windows from XP to 10.

Windows 10 Update: Blue Microphones have confirmed this mic is compatible with Windows 10 saying, "All of our USB microphones have been tested with Windows 10 and we have confirmed that they are all compatible with Windows 10 (This does include the Driver for the Yeti Pro)."

Frequency Response Chart

Click image to expand

Pros

The sound quality is generally highly regarded when used in both USB and XLR modes. Despite the higher price for higher digital conversion specifications, many podcasters & YouTubers as well as musicians like the sound and performance of the Yeti Pro. Quite a few customer reviews said it performed very well for recording acoustic guitar.

Cons

There were some customer reviews that said if you're only using this for podcasting then you should instead get a cheaper mic like the standard Yeti. In fact complaints about the price were common as they pointed out that this mic may have more features than some people need - particularly for voiceover types of recording. As with many of the other USB mics in this guide some users report problems with low gain but apparently these issues can be remedied by searching on Google.

Overall

This is a good option for anyone wanting a quick and easy to use USB mic that also doubles as a home studio condenser mic.